Enhanced call reception and privacy

ABSTRACT

An audio interface adapted to reduce a subscriber voice may receive a subscriber voice and a background noise. The subscriber voice may then be compared to the to the background noise. If the received subscriber voice is louder than the received background noise, the audio interface may output a message to the cellular telephone subscriber indicating the subscriber may reduce his speaking volume. Additionally, an audio interface may process a voice waveform that corresponds to the subscriber voice and a background waveform that corresponds to the background noise to generate a substantially opposite voice waveform and a substantially opposite background waveform respectively. The substantially opposite voice waveform and background waveform may be substantially out of phase from the voice waveform and background waveform respectively and output via one or more output ports of the audio interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/615,156, filed Dec. 22, 2006, currently pending, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Today, cellular telephones have become one of the most popular ways ofcommunicating with others, because of their mobility, convenience andease of use. In fact, in every crowd, there may be someone talking onhis or her cellular telephone.

Frequently, a cellular telephone subscriber (or the user of any type ofwireless device) may need to have a conversation in an area where otherpeople are present. In such a situation, it may not be possible for theperson to go to a sparsely-populated area for privacy (e.g., a train,taxi, etc.). Thus, if the subscriber would prefer that his or herconversation not be overheard, the subscriber's only choices are toreschedule the call for a later time when other people will not bepresent, or to speak very quietly while still speaking loudly enough forthe party on the far end of the call to understand.

Unfortunately, if the subscriber decides to place or take a call whilein an area where other people are present, background noise may preventthe subscriber from being able to speak quietly. Instead, the subscribermay have to speak loud enough for the party on the far end of the callto understand, which may be loud enough to be overheard by other peoplenear the subscriber. Furthermore, even if the background noise can bereduced on the far end of the call, the subscriber may not speak asquietly as possible. For example, the subscriber may speak louder thannecessary, because he or she does not realize the party on the other endwould be able to hear at a lower speaking volume. Thus, the subscriber'sconversation may be heard unnecessarily in an area where other peoplemay be, merely because the subscriber was unaware he could speak quietereven with the background noise.

SUMMARY

In view of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, methods and systems areprovided that reduce a volume of a cellular telephone subscriber voicein a surrounding area. According to an example embodiment, an audiointerface receives a subscriber voice and a background noise via aninput port. The subscriber voice may then be compared to the to thebackground noise. If the received subscriber voice exceeds a volume ofthe received background noise by a predetermined threshold, the audiointerface may output a message to the cellular telephone subscriber.

According to another example embodiment, an audio interface receives asubscriber voice and a background noise via an input port. A voicewaveform that corresponds to the subscriber voice may then be processedto generate a substantially opposite waveform. The substantiallyopposite waveform may be substantially out of phase from the voicewaveform. Additionally, the opposite waveform may be output in the samedirection as the subscriber voice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an example method of reducing a cellular telephonesubscriber voice;

FIG. 1B depicts an example embodiment of an audio interface adapted toreduce a cellular telephone subscriber voice;

FIG. 2A depicts another example method of reducing a cellular telephonesubscriber voice;

FIG. 2B depicts another example embodiment of an audio interface adaptedto reduce a cellular telephone subscriber voice;

FIG. 3A illustrates an overview of a network environment in whichaspects of an embodiment may be implemented;

FIG. 3B illustrates a GPRS network architecture in which aspects of anembodiment may be implemented; and

FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate block diagram of an example GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture in which aspects of an embodiment may beimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A depicts an example method of reducing a wireless devicesubscriber voice. As shown in FIG. 1A, at 2, a subscriber voice andbackground noise may be received by an audio interface in a wirelessdevice such as a cellular telephone, PDA or the like. The subscribervoice may include, for example, the voice of a subscriber speaking tosomeone via a cellular telephone. The background noise may include thenoise surrounding the subscriber using the cellular telephone. Forexample, the background noise may the noise from include trains, cars,and other people. The subscriber voice and the background noise may bereceived at an input port such as, for example, one or more microphoneson the cellular telephone in communication with the audio interface.

At 4, the subscriber voice and background noise received by the audiocomponent may be compared to the background noise. The subscriber voiceand background noise may be filtered as separate sound signals. Afterseparating, a processor may compare the volume of the subscriber voiceto the volume of the background noise. For example, the processor maycompare the amplitude of the subscriber voice sound signal to theamplitude of the background noise sound signal.

If, at 6, the volume of the subscriber voice is greater than the volumeof the background noise, a message may be output to a cellular telephonesubscriber indicating he may talk a lower volume at 8. The message mayinclude, for example, an audio message output to the subscriber via aspeaker on the cellular telephone. The message may also include, forexample, a visual alert displayed to the cellular telephone subscribersuch as a blinking light that illuminates on the cellular telephone.

FIG. 1B depicts an example embodiment of an audio interface adapted toreduce a cellular telephone subscriber voice. As shown in FIG. 1B, aportion of cellular telephone 10 includes audio interface 12, input port16 and output port 20. Input port 16 may be, for example, a microphoneadapted to receive a subscriber voice and background noise 18.Alternatively, input port 16 may be, for example, multiple microphonesincluding typical microphones and speakerphone microphones adapted toreceive the subscriber voice and background noise as separate signals.The subscriber voice may include, for example, the voice of a subscriberspeaking to someone via a cellular telephone. The background noise mayinclude the noise surrounding the subscriber using the cellulartelephone. For example, the background noise may include the sounds oftrains, cars, and other people. Input port 16 may be in operativecommunication with audio interface 12 such that subscriber voice andbackground noise 18 that is received by input port 16 may be input intoaudio interface 12. Output port 20 may be in communication with audiointerface 12. Output port 20 may include, for example, a speaker adaptedto output a voice from someone on the far end of the conversation to thesubscriber received from the network via pathway 44. Pathway 44 mayinclude, for example, a wireless transmission path, an opticaltransmission path, a conductive transmission path, or the like such thatoutput port 20 may receive and output the voice from someone on the farend of the conversation to the subscriber. The volume of the voicereceived via pathway 44 may be increased via amplifier 46 before beingreceived by output port 20. The amplified voice at the far end of theconversation may be heard by the subscriber from output port 20 viasound signal 22. Output port 20 may also be adapted to output messagescorresponding to the received subscriber voice and background noise 18,which will be described in more detail below.

Audio interface 12 may include filter 24. Filter 24 may receivesubscriber voice and background noise 18 via input port 16. Filter 24may filter the sound signal corresponding to the subscriber voice fromthe background noise such that the filtered subscriber voice may beoutput from filter 24 via pathway 26 and the filtered background noisemay be output from filter 24 via pathway 28. Filter 24 may include, forexample, an adaptive filter or any other circuitry and/or software thatfilters the subscriber voice from background noise. Pathways 26 and 28may include, for example, a wireless transmission path, an opticaltransmission path, a conductive transmission path, or the like such thatvoice analysis module 34 may receive the filtered subscriber voice andbackground noise from filter 24. The subscriber voice output via pathway26 may be input into amplifier 30, such that, amplifier 30 increases thevolume of the filtered subscriber voice. The amplified subscriber voicemay then be sent using pathway 32 to the cellular network, where thenetwork may direct the amplified subscriber voice to a party on theother end of the call. Pathway 32 may include, for example, a wirelesstransmission path, an optical transmission path, a conductivetransmission path, or the like such that the cellular network mayreceive the amplified subscriber voice.

As shown in FIG. 1B, voice analysis module 34 may be in operativecommunication with input port 16 and filter 24. The subscriber voice andbackground noise may be input into voice analysis module 34 via theirrespective pathways 26 and 28. Voice analysis module 34 may includeprocessor 36 and memory module 40. Processor 36 may compare thesubscriber voice with the background noise received via pathways 26 and28. For example, processor 36 may compare the amplitude of thesubscriber voice to the amplitude of the background noise. If theamplitude of the subscriber voice is greater than, for example, apredetermined threshold or the amplitude of the background noise,processor 36 may send a signal via pathway 38 indicating that thesubscriber may speak at a lower volume. Voice analysis module 34 mayalso be coupled to input port 16 to provide feedback to input port 16such that the gain of input port 16 may be adjusted based on thecompared subscriber voice and background noise.

Memory module 40 may include, for example, circuitry that storesinformation such as audio messages or visual indicator signals. Memorymodule 40 may receive the signal indicating that the user may speak at alower volume via pathway 38. If memory module 40 receives such a signalfrom processor 36 via pathway 38, a stored message may be output frommemory module 40 via pathway 42. The stored message may indicate to thesubscriber that he or she may speak at a lower volume. The storedmessage may include, for example, an audio message or tone output to thesubscriber via output port 20. Alternatively, the stored message mayalso include, for example, a visual alert displayed to the telephonesubscriber.

Output port 20 may receive the stored message via pathway 42. Pathway 42may include, for example, a wireless transmission path, an opticaltransmission path, a conductive transmission path, or the like such thatoutput port 20 may receive the stored message from memory module 40. Themessage then may be output via output port 20 as sound signal 22. Soundsignal 22 may be heard by the subscriber speaking on the cellular phone.

FIG. 2A depicts another example method of reducing a telephonesubscriber voice. As shown in FIG. 2A, at 100, a subscriber voice andbackground noise may be received by an audio interface in a wirelessdevice such as a cellular telephone, PDA or the like. The subscribervoice may include, for example, the voice of a subscriber speaking tosomeone via a cellular telephone. The background noise may include thenoise surrounding the subscriber using the cellular telephone. Forexample, the background noise may include the sound of trains, cars, orother people. The subscriber voice and the background noise may bereceived at an input port such as, for example, one or more cellulartelephone microphones that are in operative communication with the audiocomponent.

At 102, a voice waveform corresponding to the subscriber voice may beprocessed. Additionally, a background waveform corresponding to thebackground noise may be processed. For example, the subscriber voice andbackground noise received at 100 may be filtered as separate soundsignals. After the separation, a cancellation module may process a voicewaveform corresponding to the received subscriber voice and a backgroundwaveform corresponding to the received background noise. Thecancellation module may include, for example, a software application anda processor that receives the filtered subscriber voice and processes oranalyzes the corresponding sound signals as the voice waveform andbackground waveform.

At 104, an opposite voice waveform may be generated. Additionally, anopposite background waveform may be generated. The cancellation modulemay generate an opposite voice waveform based on the voice waveform andan opposite background waveform based on the background waveformprocessed at 102. For example, the opposite voice waveform may include asound signal that may be the minor image (e.g., 180 degrees out ofphase) with the received subscriber voice. Thus, when the oppositewaveform is output in substantially the same direction as the subscribervoice, the sound signals tend to cancel each other out, thereby reducingthe subscriber voice in that direction. Additionally, the oppositebackground waveform may include a sound signal that may be the minorimage (e.g., 180 degrees out of phase) with the received backgroundnoise. Thus, when the opposite background waveform is in substantiallythe same direction as the subscriber, the sound signals tend to canceleach other out, thereby reducing the background noise heard by thesubscriber.

At 106, the opposite voice waveform may be output from the audiointerface using a voice cancellation output port. The voice cancellationoutput port may include, for example, a speaker. The voice cancellationoutput port may be oriented on a cellular telephone that houses theaudio interface in substantially the same direction as the subscribervoice tends to be propagated to nearby non-subscribers in thesurrounding area. For example, the voice cancellation output port may beoriented such that when the opposite waveform is output therefrom, theopposite waveform and the subscriber voice substantially cancel eachother out thereby reducing the subscriber voice in that direction.Additionally, the opposite background waveform may be output from theoutput port used by the subscriber to hear the person on the other endof the call. Thus, when the opposite background waveform is output viathe output port, the background noise and the opposite background noisewaveform signals tend to cancel each other out, thereby reducing thebackground noise heard by the subscriber.

FIG. 2B depicts another example embodiment of an audio interface adaptedto reduce a cellular telephone subscriber voice. As shown in FIG. 2B, aportion of cellular telephone 110 includes audio interface 112, inputport 116, output port 120, and voice cancellation output port 138. Inputport 116 may be, for example, a microphone adapted to receive asubscriber voice and background noise 118. Alternatively, input port 116may be, for example, multiple microphones including typical microphonesand speakerphone microphones adapted to receive the subscriber voice andbackground noise as separate signals. The subscriber voice may include,for example, the voice of a subscriber speaking to someone via acellular telephone. The background noise may include the noisesurrounding the subscriber using the cellular telephone. For example,the background noise may include the sounds of trains, cars, and otherpeople. Input port 116 may be in operative communication with audiointerface 112 such that subscriber voice and background noise 118received by input port 116 may be input into audio interface 112. Outputport 120 may be in communication with audio interface 112. Output port120 may include, for example, a speaker adapted to output a voice fromsomeone on the far end of the conversation to the subscriber receivedfrom the network via pathway 144. Pathway 144 may include, for example,a wireless transmission path, an optical transmission path, a conductivetransmission path, or the like such that output port 120 may receive andoutput the voice from someone on the far end of the conversation to thesubscriber. The volume of the voice received via pathway 144 may beincreased via amplifier 146 before being received by output port 120.The amplified voice at the far end of the conversation may be heard bythe subscriber from output port 120 via sound signal 122. In oneembodiment, output port 120 may further be adapted to output a waveformopposite of the background noise to the subscriber, which will bedescribed in more detail below. Voice cancellation output port 138 maybe in communication with audio interface 112. Voice cancellation outputport 138 may include, for example, a speaker adapted to output awaveform opposite of the subscriber voice, which will be described inmore detail below. Additionally, voice cancellation output port 138 maybe part of output port 120 or may be one or more separate speakers inoperative communication with the audio interface 112.

Audio interface 112 may include filter 124. Filter 124 may receivesubscriber voice and background noise 118 via input port 116. Filter 124may filter the sound signal corresponding to the subscriber voice fromthe background noise such that the filtered subscriber voice may beoutput from filter 124 via pathway 126 and the filtered background noisemay be output from filter 124 via pathway 128. Filter 124 may include,for example, an adaptive filter or any other circuitry and/or softwarethat filters the subscriber voice from background noise. Additionally,pathways 126 and 128 may include, for example, a wireless transmissionpath, an optical transmission path, a conductive transmission path, orthe like. The subscriber voice output via conductive pathway 126 may beinput into an amplifier 130 such that amplifier 130 increases the volumeof the filtered subscriber voice. The amplified subscriber voice maythen be sent using pathway 132 to the cellular network, where thenetwork may direct the amplified subscriber voice to a party on theother end of the call. Pathway 132 may include, for example, a wirelesstransmission path, an optical transmission path, a conductivetransmission path, or the like such that the cellular network mayreceive the amplified subscriber voice.

As shown in FIG. 2B, cancellation module 134 may be in operativecommunication with input port 116 and filter 124. The filteredsubscriber voice signal may be input into cancellation module 134 viapathway 126. Similarly, the filtered background noise signal may beinput into cancellation module 134 via pathway 128. Cancellation module134 may process a voice waveform corresponding to the subscriber voicereceived via pathway 126 and a background waveform corresponding to thebackground noise received via pathway 128. Cancellation module 134 maygenerate a substantially opposite voice waveform based on the processedvoice waveform and a substantially opposite background waveform based onthe processed background waveform (e.g., 180 degrees out of phase). Theopposite voice waveform and opposite background waveform may includesound signals that may be the minor image of the subscriber voice andbackground noise respectively. Thus, when the opposite voice waveformtends to be output in the same direction as the subscriber voice, thesound signals may cancel each other out thereby reducing the subscribervoice in that direction. Additionally, when the opposite backgroundwaveform is output in substantially the same direction as subscriber,the sound signals may cancel each other out, thereby reducing thebackground noise heard by the subscriber. Cancellation module 134 mayinclude, for example, a software application and a processor thatreceives the subscriber voice, processes or analyzes the correspondingsound signal as the voice waveform and generates an opposite waveformtherefrom.

The opposite voice waveform may be output from audio interface 112 viavoice cancellation output port 138. In one embodiment, voicecancellation output port 138 may be oriented on a cellular telephonethat houses the audio interface in substantially the same direction asthe subscriber voice tends to be propagated to nearby non-subscribers inthe surrounding area. For example, voice cancellation output port 138may be oriented such that when the opposite waveform may be outputtherefrom, the opposite voice waveform and the subscriber voice canceleach other out thereby reducing the subscriber voice in that direction.

Voice cancellation output port 138 may receive the opposite voicewaveform via pathway 136. Pathway 136 may include, for example, awireless transmission path, an optical transmission path, a conductivetransmission path, or the like such that voice cancellation output port138 may receive the opposite voice waveform from cancellation module134. The opposite voice waveform may then be output via voicecancellation output port 138 as opposite voice waveform sound signal 140thereby reducing the ability of a nearby non-subscriber to hear thesubscriber's conversation. Audio interface 112 may further be adapted toprovide feedback to the subscriber on which direction he may face todecrease or otherwise better enable the cancellation of the sound of hisvoice to nearby non-subscribers.

In one embodiment, the opposite background waveform may be output fromaudio interface 112 via output port 120. Thus, when the oppositebackground waveform is output via the output port, the background noiseand the opposite background noise waveform signals may cancel each otherout, thereby reducing the background noise heard by the subscriber.

Output port 120 receives the opposite background waveform via pathway142. Pathway 142 may include, for example, a wireless transmission path,an optical transmission path, a conductive transmission path, or thelike such that output port 120 may receive the opposite backgroundwaveform from cancellation module 134. The opposite background waveformmay then be output via output port 120 via sound signal 122 therebyreducing the background noise heard by the subscriber.

Example Network and Operating Environments

The following description sets forth some example telephony radionetworks and non-limiting operating environments in which an audiointerface adapted to reduce a subscriber voice according to anembodiment may be used. The below-described operating environmentsshould be considered non-exhaustive, however, and thus thebelow-described network architecture merely shows an example networkarchitecture in which aspects of various embodiments may beincorporated. One can appreciate, however, that aspects of an embodimentmay be incorporated into now existing or future alternativearchitectures for communication networks.

The global system for mobile communication (“GSM”) is one of the mostwidely-used wireless access systems in today's fast growingcommunication systems. GSM provides circuit-switched data services tosubscribers, such as mobile telephone or computer users, for example.General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), which is an extension to GSMtechnology, introduces packet switching to GSM networks. GPRS uses apacket-based wireless communication technology to transfer high and lowspeed data and signaling in an efficient manner. GPRS optimizes the useof network and radio resources, thus enabling the cost effective andefficient use of GSM network resources for packet mode applications. Forpurposes of explanation, various embodiments are described herein inconnection with GSM. The references to GSM are not exclusive, however,as it should be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented inconnection with any type of wireless access system such as, for example,CDMA or the like.

As may be appreciated, the example GSM/GPRS environment and servicesdescribed herein can also be extended to 3G services, such as UniversalMobile Telephone System (“UMTS”), Frequency Division Duplexing (“FDD”)and Time Division Duplexing (“TDD”), High Speed Packet Data Access(“HSPDA”), cdma2000 1x Evolution Data Optimized (“EVDO”), Code DivisionMultiple Access-2000 (“cdma2000 3x”), Time Division Synchronous CodeDivision Multiple Access (“TD-SCDMA”), Wideband Code Division MultipleAccess (“WCDMA”), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (“EDGE”), InternationalMobile Telecommunications-2000 (“IMT-2000”), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (“DECT”), etc., as well as to other network servicesthat shall become available in time. In this regard, the techniques ofthe various embodiments discussed below may be applied independently ofthe method of data transport, and does not depend on any particularnetwork architecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 3A depicts an overall block diagram of an example packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichaspects of an embodiment may be practiced. In such an environment, theremay be any number of subsystems that implement the functionality of theenvironment such as, for example, a plurality of Base Station Subsystems(“BSS”) 200 (only one is shown in FIG. 3A), each of which comprises aBase Station Controller (“BSC”) 202 serving a plurality of BaseTransceiver Stations (“BTS”) such as, for example, BTSs 204, 206 and208. BTSs 204, 206, 208, etc., are the access points where users ofpacket-based mobile devices become connected to the wireless network. Inone embodiment, the packet traffic originating from user devices istransported over the air interface to BTS 208, and from BTS 208 to BSC202. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 200, may be a part of internalframe relay network 210 that may include Service GPRS Support Nodes(“SGSN”) such as SGSN 212 and 214. Each SGSN 212, 214, etc. is in turnconnected to internal packet network 220 through which SGSN 212, 214,etc. can route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRSsupport nodes (GGSN) 222, 224, 226, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 214 andGGSNs 222, 224 and 226 are part of internal packet network 220. GatewayGPRS serving nodes 222, 224 and 226 may provide an interface to externalInternet Protocol (“IP”) networks such as Public Land Mobile Network(“PLMN”) 250, corporate intranets 240, Fixed-End System (“FES”), thepublic Internet 230 or the like. As illustrated, subscriber corporatenetwork 240 may be connected to GGSN 224 via firewall 232; and PLMN 250may be connected to GGSN 224 via boarder gateway router 234. RemoteAuthentication Dial-In User Service (“RADIUS”) server 242 may be usedfor caller authentication when a user of a mobile cellular device callscorporate network 240, for example.

Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSMnetwork—macro, micro, pico and umbrella cells. The coverage area of eachcell is different in different environments. Macro cells may be regardedas cells where the base station antenna is installed in a mast or abuilding above average roof top level. Micro cells are cells whoseantenna height is under average roof top level; they are typically usedin urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having a diameter is a fewdozen meters; they are mainly used indoors. On the other hand, umbrellacells are used to cover shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill ingaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 3B illustrates the architecture of a typical GPRS network assegmented into four groups: users 250, radio access network 260, corenetwork 270 and interconnect network 280. Users 250 comprise a pluralityof end users (though only mobile subscriber 255 is shown in FIG. 7B).Radio access network 260 comprises a plurality of base stationsubsystems such as BSSs 262, which include BTSs 264 and BSCs 266. Corenetwork 270 comprises a host of various network elements. As illustratedhere, core network 270 may comprise Mobile Switching Center (“MSC”) 271,Service Control Point (“SCP”) 272, gateway MSC 273, SGSN 276, HomeLocation Register (“HLR”) 274, Authentication Center (“AuC”) 275, DomainName Server (“DNS”) 277 and GGSN 278. Interconnect network 280 alsocomprises a host of various networks and other network elements. Asillustrated in FIG. 3B, interconnect network 280 comprises PublicSwitched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 282, Fixed-End System (“FES”) orInternet 284, firewall 288 and Corporate Network 289.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 271, for example, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated such that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) 282 through Gateway MSC(“GMSC”) 273, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 276, which then sends thedata traffic to GGSN 278 for further forwarding.

When MSC 271 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 266, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 272. The SCP 272 processes therequest and issues a response to MSC 271 so that it may continue callprocessing as appropriate.

HLR 274 is a centralized database for users to register to the GPRSnetwork. HLR 274 stores static information about the subscribers such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (“IMSI”), subscribedservices, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR 274 alsostores dynamic subscriber information such as the current location ofthe mobile subscriber. Associated with HLR 274 may be AuC 275. AuC 275is a database that contains the algorithms for authenticatingsubscribers and includes the associated keys for encryption to safeguardthe user input for authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber” mayrefer to either the end user or to the actual portable device used by anend user of the mobile cellular service. When a mobile subscriber turnson his or her mobile device, the mobile device goes through an attachprocess by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of the GPRSnetwork. Referring now to FIG. 3B, when mobile subscriber 255 initiatesthe attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request is sent by mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN 276.The SGSN 276 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 255 wasattached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 255. Uponreceiving the identity of mobile subscriber 255 from the other SGSN,SGSN 276 requests more information from mobile subscriber 255. Thisinformation is used to authenticate mobile subscriber 255 to SGSN 276 byHLR 274. Once verified, SGSN 276 sends a location update to HLR 274indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, in this case SGSN 276.HLR 274 notifies the old SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 255 wasattached, to cancel the location process for mobile subscriber 255. HLR274 then notifies SGSN 276 that the location update has been performed.At this time, SGSN 276 sends an Attach Accept message to mobilesubscriber 255, which in turn sends an Attach Complete message to SGSN276.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 255 then goesthrough the authentication process. In the authentication process, SGSN276 sends the authentication information to HLR 274, which sendsinformation back to SGSN 276 based on the user profile that was part ofthe user's initial setup. SGSN 276 then sends a request forauthentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 255. Mobile subscriber255 uses an algorithm to send the user identification (ID) and passwordto SGSN 276. SGSN 276 uses the same algorithm and compares the result.If a match occurs, SGSN 276 authenticates mobile subscriber 255.

Next, mobile subscriber 255 establishes a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 289, by going through a PacketData Protocol (“PDP”) activation process. Briefly, in the process,mobile subscriber 255 requests access to the Access Point Name (“APN”),for example, UPS.com (e.g., which can be corporate network 279) and SGSN276 receives the activation request from mobile subscriber 255. SGSN 276then initiates a Domain Name Service (“DNS”) query to learn which GGSNnode has access to the UPS.com APN. The DNS query is sent to the DNSserver within the core network 270, such as DNS 277, which isprovisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodes in the core network 270.Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 278 can access the requested corporatenetwork 279. The SGSN 276 then sends to GGSN 278 a Create Packet DataProtocol (“PDP”) Context Request message that contains necessaryinformation. The GGSN 278 sends a Create PDP Context Response message toSGSN 276, which then sends an Activate PDP Context Accept message tomobile subscriber 255.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 255can then go through radio access network 260, core network 270, andinterconnect network 280, in particular fixed-end system or Internet 284and firewall 288, to reach corporate network 289.

Thus, network elements that may implicate the functionality of theservice delivery based on real-time performance requirement(s) inaccordance with an embodiment may include but are not limited to GatewayGPRS Support Node tables, Fixed End System router tables, firewallsystems, VPN tunnels and any number of other network elements asrequired by the particular digital network.

FIG. 3C shows another example block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 300 in which the apparatus and methodsfor transferring multimedia content between receiving devices of thebelow-discussed embodiments may be incorporated. As illustrated,architecture 300 of FIG. 3C includes GSM core network 301, GPRS network330 and IP multimedia network 338. GSM core network 301 includes MobileStation (MS) 302, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 304 andBase Station Controller (BSC) 306. MS 302 is physical equipment orMobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer thatis used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM).The SIM includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. BTS 304 is physicalequipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radio interface tocommunicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve more than one MS. BSC 306manages radio resources, including the BTS. The BSC may be connected toseveral BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, in combination, are generallyreferred to as a base station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 303.

GSM core network 301 also includes Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 308,Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 310, Home Location Register (HLR)312, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 314, Authentication Center (AuC)318 and Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 316. MSC 308 performs aswitching function for the network. The MSC also performs otherfunctions, such as registration, authentication, location updating,handovers and call routing. GMSC 310 provides a gateway between the GSMnetwork and other networks, such as an Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN) or Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs) 320. Inother words, GMSC 310 provides interworking functionality with externalnetworks.

HLR 312 is a database that contains administrative information regardingeach subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. HLR 312 alsocontains the current location of each MS. VLR 314 is a database thatcontains selected administrative information from HLR 312. The VLRcontains information necessary for call control and provision ofsubscribed services for each MS currently located in a geographical areacontrolled by the VLR. HLR 312 and VLR 314, together with MSC 308,provide the call routing and roaming capabilities of GSM. AuC 316provides the parameters needed for authentication and encryptionfunctions. Such parameters allow verification of a subscriber'sidentity. EIR 318 stores security-sensitive information about the mobileequipment.

Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 309 allows one-to-one Short MessageService (SMS) messages to be sent to/from MS 302. Push Proxy Gateway(PPG) 311 is used to “push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request)content to MS 102. PPG 311 acts as a proxy between wired and wirelessnetworks to facilitate pushing of data to MS 302. Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 313 is provided to convert SMS-based SMPPmessages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol for exchangingSMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short message servicecenters. It is often used to allow third parties, e.g., contentsuppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. MS 302 sends a location update including its current locationinformation to the MSC/VLR, via BTS 304 and BSC 306. The locationinformation is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR is updated with thelocation information received from the MSC/VLR. The location update alsois performed when the MS moves to a new location area. Typically, thelocation update is periodically performed to update the database aslocation updating events occur.

GPRS network 330 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 332, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 334. SGSN 332 is at the same hierarchical levelas MSC 308 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls the connection betweenthe GPRS network and MS 302. The SGSN also keeps track of individualMS's locations and security functions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 333 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

GGSN 334 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a public packetnetwork (PDN) or other IP networks 336. That is, the GGSN providesinterworking functionality with external networks, and sets up a logicallink to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched data leaves theGPRS network, it is transferred to external TCP-IP network 336, such asan X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRS services, theMS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performing an attachprocedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP) context,thus activating a packet communication session between the MS, the SGSN,and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supports simultaneousoperation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example, class Amobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls at thesame time.

A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 330 can be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkis indicated by a parameter in system information messages transmittedwithin a cell. The system information messages dictates a MS where tolisten for paging messages and how signal towards the network. Thenetwork operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRS network.In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuit switched domain(voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend the datacall or take both simultaneously, depending on the ability of the MS. Ina NOM2 network, a MS may not received pages from a circuit switcheddomain when engaged in a data call, since the MS is receiving data andis not listening to a paging channel In a NOM3 network, a MS can monitorpages for a circuit switched network while received data and vise versa.

IP multimedia network 338 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 340 to provide rich multimediaservices to end users. A representative set of the network entitieswithin IMS 340 are a call/session control function (CSCF), media gatewaycontrol function (MGCF) 346, media gateway (MGW) 348, and a mastersubscriber database, referred to as a home subscriber server (HSS) 350.HSS 350 may be common to GSM network 301, GPRS network 330 as well as IPmultimedia network 338.

IP multimedia system 340 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)343, proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 342 and serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 344. P-CSCF 342is the MS's first point of contact with IMS 340. P-CSCF 342 forwardssession initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from the MS to anSIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of the MS. P-CSCF 342 mayalso modify an outgoing request according to a set of rules defined bythe network operator (for example, address analysis and potentialmodification).

I-CSCF 343 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 343 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 345 to determine which HSS 350 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 350 are present. S-CSCF 344performs the session control services for MS 302. This includes routingoriginating sessions to external networks and routing terminatingsessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 344 also decides whetherapplication server (AS) 352 is required to receive information on anincoming SIP session request to ensure appropriate service handling.This decision is based on information received from HSS 350 (or othersources, such as application server 352). AS 352 also communicates tolocation server 356 (e.g., a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) thatprovides a position (e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 302.

HSS 350 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 350, a subscriber location function providesinformation on HSS 350 that contains the profile of a given subscriber.

The MGCF 346 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from IMS 340 and ISUP/BICC call control signaling fromthe external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls media gateway(MGW) 348 that provides user-plane interworking functionality (e.g.,converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). MGW 348 also communicateswith other IP multimedia networks 354.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones register with thewireless network when the phones are in a predefined area (e.g., jobsite, etc.). When the mobile phones leave the area, they register withthe network in their new location as being outside the predefined area.This registration, however, may not indicate the actual physicallocation of the mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.

While the various embodiments have been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of the various embodiments without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the embodiments should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a wirelessdevice, a voice and a background noise; comparing the voice to thebackground noise; determining that a volume of the voice exceeds avolume of the background noise by a predetermined threshold; andoutputting a message, at the wireless device, indicating that the voiceis substantially louder than the received background noise.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a prompt to reduce aspeaking volume.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice andbackground noise are received via an input port.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the input port comprises a microphone.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the message is output via an output port.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the output port comprises a speaker.
 7. A wirelessdevice comprising: a processor; and memory coupled to the processor, thememory comprising executable instructions that when executed by theprocessor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:receiving, at the wireless device, a voice and a background noise;comparing the voice to the background noise; determining that a volumeof the voice exceeds a volume of the background noise by a predeterminedthreshold; and outputting a message, at the wireless device, indicatingthat the voice is substantially louder than the received backgroundnoise.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the message comprises a promptto reduce a speaking volume.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the voiceand background noise are received via an input port of the wirelessdevice.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the input port comprises amicrophone.
 11. The device of claim 7, wherein the message is output viaan output port of the wireless device.
 12. The device of claim 11,wherein the output port comprises a speaker.
 13. A memory comprisingexecutable instructions that when executed by a processor cause theprocessor to effectuate operations comprising: receiving, at thewireless device, a voice and a background noise; comparing the voice tothe background noise; determining that a volume of the voice exceeds avolume of the background noise by a predetermined threshold; andoutputting a message, at the wireless device, indicating that the voiceis substantially louder than the received background noise.
 14. Thememory of claim 13, wherein the message comprises a prompt to reduce aspeaking volume.
 15. The memory of claim 13, wherein the voice andbackground noise are received via an input port of the wireless device.16. The memory of claim 15, wherein the input port comprises amicrophone.
 17. The memory of claim 13, wherein the message is outputvia an output port of the wireless device.
 18. The memory of claim 17,wherein the output port comprises a speaker.